14 Enticing Romances You Should Be Reaching For This October
October tends to be a busy time of year. If you're a sports fan, your teams have you on the edge of your seat, while kids' extracurriculars have something on the schedule every week to add to your "be in two places at once" motto. Or, if you're grinding away at your desk, you're trying to achieve all your deadlines before the holidays kick off.
We highly suggest you take some "me time" for yourself with one or more of this month's must-reads that will help you escape the daily rise, shine, grind, and repeat. From J.R. Ward's newest bestseller to heart-wrenching stories, spell-binding mysteries, and so much more, October has a list of steamy books that will speed the month up and get that countdown to the holiday season moving a little faster!
1. Consumed
Set in the blazing hot and suspenseful world of firefighters, New York Times bestselling author J.R. Ward introduces a new band of brothers in Consumed. A fearless and strong-willed firefighter, Anne Ashburn's life was forever changed after one risky decision on the job. Now, she's an arson investigator hunting down a deadly serial killer setting her hometown ablaze. With an arsonist on the loose, Anne can't afford any distractions, but after one night with firefighter bad boy Danny McGuire, she's consumed by the overwhelming spark between them. Full of hot men, powerful women, and edge-of-your-seat action, Consumed turns up the heat.
2. Flow
Flow by Chelle Bliss is the second book in the steamy family saga Men of Inked: Southside. Daphne Gallo wasn't looking for love, but when a handsome stranger saves her from falling, she can't deny the instant attraction. But there's a problem — their fathers are crime bosses from rival families. Being together is dangerous and reckless. No matter how hard Daphne pushes Leo away, nothing will stop him from getting the girl of his dreams.
3. Five Years Gone
The best way to give you insight into Five Years Gone by Marie Force is from the perspective of the narrator, Ava:
"I can't believe it's been five years since I looked into those incredible blue eyes or woke to him on the pillow next to me or heard his voice in my ear, whispering words that're permanently carved into my heart as he made love to me. The worst part is I have no idea where he is. I don't know if he's alive or dead, being held captive or if he's living his life somewhere else with someone else. I don't know, and the not knowing is the hardest thing I've ever dealt with.
I love him as much today as I ever did. No amount of time could ever change that simple fact of my life. We had two beautiful, magnificent years together, caught up in our own little bubble. He never met my family. I never met his. We didn't make couple friends. We didn't talk about the future. We didn't need to. Our future was decided that first night, and it would take care of itself in due time. I honestly and naïvely believed that.
Now, with hindsight, I realize the bubble was strategic on his part. He gave me everything he had to give, including no promise of tomorrow. I've waited five years for him to come home, and I can't do that anymore. It's time for me to move on. It's probably long past time, if I'm being honest with myself. And though I know it's the right move at the right time, that doesn't mean my heart isn't shattering all over again as I dismantle the place where we were us . . ."
4. #1 Muse
#1 Muse by T. Gephart is a laugh-out-loud romantic comedy where fantasy and reality crash head-on. Nick Larsson is used to having a starring role, but little does he know his latest one is in Claire Becker's dreams. But when secret and sexy fan fiction is mistaken for a script, there isn't a lot you can do unless you want to look like a psycho stalker. Nope, just hold on and hope for the best, and pray you haven't committed career suicide. After all, professional screenwriters secretly lust over famous movie stars all the time, right? No? Well, if saving her career was too much to ask, maybe Claire's best shot was staying out of jail instead.
5. Legacy of Lies, Out Oct. 15
In Legacy of Lies by Tara Leigh, Jolie Chapman and Tripp Montgomery had the world at their feet. The son and daughter of Manhattan royalty, these star-crossed lovers enjoyed lives of wealth and privilege. Elite schools. Park Avenue penthouses. A billion-dollar legacy. But that legacy was a lie, their fortune a fraud. And in a twist of fate, Tripp discovers Jolie might be the biggest thief of all.
6. Dream, Out Oct. 16
Dream is an all-new, standalone reunion romance from New York Times bestseller Carly Phillips. Kyle Davenport is not your typical teacher. He's hot and sexy and he's back in town, but he hasn't forgotten how his best friend — and the woman he once loved — betrayed him. But there were things in Andi Harmon's past that Kyle knew nothing about, and once he discovers why she pushed him away, he's bound and determined to make her his — this time forever. But will Andi's ex-husband and the reason for her betrayal stand in the way? Read as Andi discovers herself and her strength, and reclaims her one true love.
7. After Burn, Out Oct. 16
The lure of the open road never fades. Bumpy, cracked, and full of obstacles. In the end, the cure for life's complications. My brothers behind me and our future in front of us. Loyalty above all else. A vow made to my brothers. 'Til death do us part. A vow made to my wife. Together we'll race the rain, chase the sun, and ride the wind. Leave no road untaken. After Burn by Autumn Jones Lake is the tenth full-length novel in the Lost Kings MC series.
8. Off the Ice, Out Oct. 16
In Off the Ice by L.P. Dover, Justin Davis, all-star center for the Charlotte Strikers, has chased the spotlight for years, not only with hockey, but through television as well. Now that the contract with his fake fiancé is up, he's free to do whatever and whoever he wants. That's why he decides to spend the off season in cabin in Wyoming, and ends up running into Meghan Taylor, a down-to-earth beauty who needs help on her ranch. She's exactly what he's been looking for, but he's not the kind of man she wants. Getting her to see who he really is has its challenges, but the more time he spends with her, the easier it is for her to see that he's not the same guy she knows from TV. He doesn't want to lose her, but he also can't hide away in Wyoming forever. It's a choice he's not ready to make.
9. Beau, Out Oct. 23
Married for four and a half years, Beau and Ethan Walker are ready for the next phase in their lives. They want what so many people dream of: a baby. While Ethan's brothers have filled the Walker gene pool with more than a dozen babies already, making Beau and Ethan uncles many times over, their hope is to have one of their own. Unfortunately, expanding their family with a tiny bundle of joy isn't as easy for them as it is for the rest of the Walker clan, but they have options and they're willing to do what it takes.
Despite their deep desire and their endless efforts to start a family, there are outside forces working against them, and every step forward seems to take them two steps back. While their love for each other is undeniable and their bond unbreakable, their strength will be tested as the two of them continue down the path to become the one thing they want more than anything: to be fathers. Beau by Nicole Edwards is the standalone story that follows Ethan, the beginning of Ethan and Beau's story!
10. Fall, Out Oct. 23
Fall by Kristen Callihan: the first time Stella met legendary rock star Jax Blackwood things went a little sideways. He was about to grab the last carton of mint-chocolate chip. Stella might have walked away, but then Jax smugly dared her to try and take the coveted ice cream. So she kissed him. And distracted that mint-chip right out of his hands. She certainly never expected he'd be her new neighbor. An annoying neighbor who takes great pleasure in reminding her that she owes him ice cream but would happily accept more kisses as payment. Clearly, avoidance is key. Except nothing about Jax is easy to ignore. Neither of them believes in love or forever. But they could become each other's everything. All they have to do is trust enough to fall.
11. Royally Yours, Out Oct. 30
Royally Yours by Emma Chase features the beautiful, stubborn Queen Lenora of Wessco and handsome adventurer Edward Rourke as an ill-matched pair. But when circumstances force them together, their relationship blossoms into a passionate and breathtaking love affair that changes the monarchy forever.
12. Dangerous Exes, Out Oct. 30
Jessie wants payback for his ruined reputation and he has his sites set on Isla at Dirty Exes PI. The only problem is one scandal turns into another as he lets his guard down and sneaks a kiss. Now, Jessie's plans for revenge are spinning out of control. Can these mortal enemies end up being more? Can their game of "let's pretend" end up being the real thing? Find out in Dangerous Exes by Rachel Van Dyken!
13. Secrets, Out Oct. 30
With a classic return to the dark, twisted storytelling of Consequences and Infidelity, a new anti-hero, Sterling Sparrow, is brought to life in Secrets by Aleatha Romig. Kennedy Hawkins has a happy existence with friends and her satin fashions design house, Sinful Threads. She could never expect what is missing until the night the mysterious Sterling Sparrow bulldozes into her life, promising to reveal the secrets and lies she's been living, and opening the world to who she really is.
14. Dirty Rich Cinderella Story: Ever After
I have a brand-new book out in my Dirty Rich series! Dirty Rich Cinderella Story: Ever After is Cole and Lori's second story, and follows their sinfully sexy honeymoon in Paris and the danger they come back to once they return home. Continuing where Dirty Rich Cinderella Story left off, get ready for a steamy honeymoon and a heart-stopping welcome home for Cole and Lori! The unexpected is about to happen, and while Lori has faced the demons of her past, she and Cole will face those of his past now.
